DJ Paul Hill Interview

How long have you been DJ’ing for Hed Kandi and how did you first get on board with them?

"I’ve been with Kandi for nearly two and a half years.  I had been working alongside the Kandi team for a while and finally started playing for them just after Mark Doyle left."

 

What does the brand mean to you?

"To me the brand is all about having a great time whilst listening to great music.  It’s crazy, sexy, cool and very hedonistic.  Whether you’re at home listening to an album or at one of our gigs shaking your booty on the dancefloor, it’s all about enjoying yourself."

 

What’s your favourite Hed Kandi album or series, and why?

"Hmmm… good question!  It’s difficult to have a favourite because I like all of them for different reasons.  The big room, hands in the air feel of 'Disco Kandi' is always a winner, but at the same time I love 'Twisted Disco' and that deep, tougher edge it brings to the Kandi sound."

 

Give us your first impressions of the Hed Kandi Beach Bar venue?

"Sleek, smooth and sexy.  Just the kind of place that Kandi should have as a home."

 

With Hed Kandi Beach Bar and MoS both running successfully in Hurghada, Egypt – do you think we could be talking about a serious clubbing destination, either at present or in the near future?  If so what else is required?

"I definitely think that the potential is there.  Between the two clubs there’s a the opportunity to have every aspect of clubbing in Hurghada.  With the Kandi Bar, you can have all the different sounds of the Hed Kandi experience and with Ministry of Sound, you have the biggest nightlife brand in the world to give clubbers what they want."

 

What was the team at Hed Kandi Beach Bar like?

"Some of the most helpful, fun-loving, accommodating people I’ve ever had the fortune to work with!"

 

How was the actual club-night you played at?

"Great!!!  A nice mixture of people and nationalities, which gave me the chance to play a number of different styles.  The vibe was cool and having people dancing on a beach really seems to give it something extra that you don’t get elsewhere."

 

What tunes got the biggest reactions on the night?

"There were lots of tracks that got big reactions but most notably, ‘Let Me Think About It – Ida Corr Vs. Fedde Le Grand’, ‘Le Voie Le Soleil – Paulo Colina’ and ‘8 Letters – Holmes Ives Feat. Avalon Frost’."

 

How did the crowd differ from your normal clientele?  Their response, musical preferences etc?

"As I said previously, there was a big mixture of nationalities and this was reflected in their response and musical preferences.  They liked it a little more rhythmic and drum driven.  There were of course big vocal moments, where hands were in the air but I found that they did prefer it a little bit tougher."

 

Which are you best three clubbing cities / countries worldwide, and why?

"Wow!  Erm… that’s a really difficult question.  The first would have to be Sheffield, simply for the fact that of Gatecrasher’s GC1.  An awesome club which was my favourite place to play.  I hope it’s back soon.  Second would be Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, everytime I’m there I have the best time and amazing gigs.  Thirdly has to be El Divino in Ibiza, purely and simply because it’s Ibiza and the whole island is there for a good time and that’s all you can have!"

 
Best gig of all time, either as a DJ / punter, and why?

"It’s a toss up between, El Divino in Ibiza, Boracay Island in the Philippines or Gatecrasher Summer Sound System 2007 in Leeds.  All three had the hallmarks of outstanding gigs, amazing-up-for-it crowds, awesome venues and vibes that were so electric it would make your hair stand on end!"

 

Can you tell us some of your musical influences?

"Because my father was in bands from an early age so I grew up listening to so many different styles of music, disco, funk, soul, pop, rock so my influences are many and probably too numerous to list, but growing up in a musical house made me appreciate lots of different sounds and genres."

 

Future events and projects in the pipeline?

"Hopefully 2008 will be very busy and exciting for me.  My first single, ‘Le Voie Le Soleil – Paulo Colina’ has just been signed to Hed Kandi and has already been included on the ‘Ibiza Live’ and ‘Happy New Year 2007 Sampler’ and I’m currently working hard on new material for 2008."